Every time I go outside on a clear October day and see the trees laced in color, I don’t want to go back inside again. The next best thing? Bringing some of the outside in. Here are a few autumn-inspired pieces that caught my eye:

This organic herb wreath from Viva Terra is part of a sale that lasts through October 29. You can get $10 off the $65 wreath ($75 with hanger). And here’s the cool part: The aromatic herbs that make up the wreath—lavender, dill, thyme, anise, sage and cinnamon—can be clipped off and used for recipes.

The mad back-to-school rush has begun to subside—and the masses of papers, coats, permission slips, stray pens, and forgotten lunches have started to accumulate. Get everyone organized with a few items at great post-rush prices.

At The Container Store, a shelving sale offers good deals. We like this adjustable Elfa storage unit that creates a work surface and provides room for books and boxes—without taking up much floor space. Regularly $364.57, it’s been marked down to $273.32. For an even better deal, check its availability for pickup—there are Container Store locations in DC, Tysons Corner, Rockville, and Arlington—and save the $26 in shipping costs.

If your house is in need of an autumn facelift, The Capital Home Show at the Dulles Expo Center this weekend is a great chance to scope out ideas. A packed schedule of events includes seminars and guest appearances by Summer Baltzer of HGTV’s Design on a Dime and TLC’s Unhinged, and Chef Lou Petrozza of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen. In a talk called “One Room, Three Ways,” designer Jean Daniel Pilon will show visitors how to decorate a room in different ways using the same pieces. Dozens of exhibitors—from appliance giant Bray & Scarff to custom flooring company H&H Hardwood—will be on hand to sell products and answer questions. The show’s “Green Zone” also features local companies offering tips and products for an eco-friendly home.

10 AM to 9 PM on Friday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26; 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday, September 27. Tickets are $12 for adults ($9 if you purchase them online); $3 for kids 6 to 12; free for kids under 5.

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Last I checked, the economy was looking up—but the news hasn’t yet reached many furniture and home stores, several of which are slashing prices on surplus stock. You can find quality items from top retailers for a steal. Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Pottery Barn is having an as-long-as-it-lasts clearance sale—and it’s not going to last long. Some prices have dipped as low as 75 percent off their original price—including this 16-by-144-inch all-linen table runner, originally $79 and now going for $19.99. I love the border’s hand-cut detail. A word of advice to bargain hunters: Be sure to check carefully which sizes and colors are still available. Only one size of this runner is left.

Also from Pottery Barn are these throw-pillow covers, piano-striped in classic black-and-white ticking. These would look great against a sage or butter-yellow couch or on top of a neutral bedspread. They were originally $39 apiece, but you can snag them now for $12.99.

This week’s pick is a retro-looking wooden cabinet with a removable glass top. The piece would go well behind a bar or for serving hors d’oeuvres at parties. The Ashburn seller is asking for $300.

More good finds:

• Broyhill sofa for $350
• Coffee table from Pottery Barn for $250
• Funky Ikea loveseat, which retails for $249 new, for $80
• Matching leather chair and loveseat for $500
• Quirky ladder-chair that would work in an office or study for $75


Thanks, Craig!

Have a design dilemma? Help is on the way! DC designers Liz Levin and Sally Steponkus will host a live chat to offer help and ideas on Wednesday, July 29th at 11 am.

Levin got her start as an in-store designer at Vastu, a furniture store near DC's Logan Circle. She launched her own design firm in 2004, and has made a name for herself with modern yet comfortable interiors.

Steponkus is known for putting an updated twist on traditional styles. In this year's DC Design House, she used cheery yellow accents and geometric patterns in the sitting room. The 29th also happens to be her birthday.

Click here to submit a question early.